Just back from our first meeting for the Eugene SRTS (group/coalition/team/council/?).  We have a really great group of people energized and ready to create a sustainable and productive organization that increases biking and walking to and from school.  

I'll do another post with an overview of our vision and goals after our next meeting as we firm things up. In my research and note writing after the meeting I came across this amazing little video from Eugene in 1972.  It shows that what we are doing is nothing new AND that major change CAN happen.  Just look at the different cycling infrastructure that was implemented soon after this movie and continues with us today.  It's about six minutes and this is just part one, I'll put a link to part two below this one. 

 I'll see if I can get ahold of the video and make it one of the films for the "Transportation Film Fest" that we are talking about.  I had an idea for the fest in relation to SRTS too.... getting kids to produce Appropriate Transport themed films (anything from bmx/freestyle riding, instructional, skateboard clips, to strict transportation films). I know some kids at CAT already  have done some.

Here's the video, again, wow:

You can see the other part at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3G_f1pjncc&feature=related

HEY Move and other ideas

Tomorrow the newly forming Eugene SRTS Committee is meeting.  One of my first thoughts is in the name.  Though I've really grown to like the Safe Routes to School name (I thought it was a little boring at first) I think the group forming now needs something more than SRTS Committee.  I'd like to see it be more of an action group whereas committee just has that sound of languidness and if there is anything a group advocating for more active youth doesn't want to be it is languid!

Some brainstorm ideas to kick us off:

The Eugene SRTS Posse

SRTS Peloton

GUMMY (Group United for More Mobile Youth)

HEY Move (Helping Eugene Youth Move)

Eugene FARTS (Fun and Active Routes To School)- hey kids love farts!

Okay, this is getting a little out of control!  How about something a little more 'safe'.

Eugene SRTS Council

SRTS Action Group

Walk & Roll to School Group

So those are some ideas to kick us off, then once we get a good name it's time to really dig in and take some action.  Next post... which way do we go?

The energy that was created by the Eugene Bike Summit for SRTS in Eugene was exciting and I hope we can keep that up that momentum!

Lumber Load

Lumber Load
Originally uploaded by shanerh

On the way home from School the other day I picked up a bit of lumber.

Starting out a new blog about the Safe Routes to School scene.  

Based in Eugene Oregon where some of the first grassroots Safe Routes to School programs were started (and continue to flourish today) we'll cover issues related to local, national, and international walking and biking to school programs.

Stay tuned for more!